That kiss of greeting doubled as goodbye.
But when you sat beside me in the hall,
The cold worlds coalesced in one warm sigh,
Affirming for an instant this was all
That I desired. But the gentle breeze
Which held aloft the leaf one static moment,
Blew again and took it from the trees
Of Spring – its modest covenant was spent.

That you were there outshone the great event:
I was the centre of the throng and crowd
Who could not know how little this all meant,
Despite the light my work had been allowed.

Glory faded with that fleeting kiss
Which I each day recall, regret and miss.

9 October 2003, Midnight